Valve mechanism



June 16, 1931.

o. J. PARKS VALVE MECHANISM Filed Dec. 19. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Patented June 1,6, 1931 UNITED STATES P ATE/Nr lorrlce,

os'rRANnER er. rnRns, on RIvER rena-sfr, immers. assienonjro univnRAnAMERicanV :DANK CAR' coRroRAtrioN,Y orr` enfonce.

Appncauon inea nember 1e, 1327; serieu No. 211,084.

tion having been devised for embodiment more particularly vin valve mechanisms in which the valvesproper move 1n a substantially vertical direction relative to valve-seats ,llfy beneath them, but not to the exclusion of mechanisms in which the valves are 'disposed kto operate in other directions and thev valveseats v"are otherwisey disposed.

One of my objects is to provideva valve 15* mechanism yof the type referred to whereby the valve proper in the manipulating of the stem is caused to rotate against the valve-seat with which it cooperates'to effect grinding of othe valve proper, against the seat but notk 12C-during the time that the valve proper is pressed against the seat by the'final valveclosing pressure exerted =by the stem, it being preferred that the valve rotatinggrinding operation be effected not only in the movement -of the valve to closed position with discontinuation of the valve-rotating operation upon the final act of forcing the `valve proper to the seat, but also in the movement :of the" `valve proper'to open position following'the '330 releasing of the pressure holdingv the valve a proper against the seat.

vAnother object* s to provideavalve con: struction in which provision is made for so Y 1otating the valve rproper against the seat 'that these parts willbe ground substantially uniformly throughout their opposing surfaces. i' Y" 't v Another Objectis to fprovidea valve mechanism of thetype referred to thev end that if desi'red, the' valve proper may be freely `ro-y tated on the seat for the'rpurpose'of grinding in thevalve, y and without disassembling the parts; and othergobjects aswi'll be manifest `from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein I have illustrated myy invention as embodied in a valve mechanism'controlling the discharge loutlet in the bottompfthe `tank car: v

Figure 1is a breken View in sec-tional ele-*- inniiiois, A coRroRe'rioN vor Wnsjr vation of the'outlet-equipped bottom portion of a' tank car with valve mechanism associated therewith for controlling said outlet and embodying my invention. FigureQ isan c enlarged sectionftaken at the line on Fig. land viewed inthe direction ofthe ar rows. Figure 3 is an enlarged'section taken at the line on 1 'andviewedinthe direction of thev arrows. Figure 4 is fa broken sectional view taken'at the linefli on Fig.l 3 and viewedv in the V.direction ofthe arrow. Figure 5 iS a .view in side' elevation of 'the y valve lproper of the mechanism. Figure 6 isf a plan view 'of the valveI .proper of Fig. Figure 7 isa viewinelevation of the lower end of the valve actuating stem. Figure 8r is a similarview ofthe-.part of the rstern'shown in Fig. 7 `but "viewed frompa position normal thereto. Figure9 isavsection taken "at the line-9`-9 on Fig'. 7 and viewed in the direcg tion of the arrows; and Figure 10,l a section taken at the'line 10-10 on Fig.'7 .and viewedr inthe direction of thearrows. In the particular Constr t tion illustrated, 11 representsthe bottom' sheet "ofv a tank car i containing an c outletfo'peni'ng 12. Fitting flatwise; at its upper surface against the un: derside ofthe bottom sheet 11 to extendl across the opening'lQ, isk a'tank outlet member 18 mitre'formand with whichcooperates the valve Hproper 16 of valve mechanism provided for the purpose of controlling the How of material from the tank through the outlet fof the latter.` n n l 4Theyalve properfl isshown vas provided with a peripheral mitrezd seating'surface 17 at which it is adapted to engagelwith the seat t 15 and is formed with depending guidewin'gs i 18 `which extendinto'th'e `boreiofthe)leg 13.

'The `upper end portion `of the valve properv 16 contains an vupwardly opening, transversely disposed, groove 19'the-b'otton1 surface Yof which is preferably rounded as 'represented at 20. The upperportion `of the groove '19 is 1 restricted as represented at 21an`d provides the parallel 'shoulder' surfaces '22.r

shown as in the forinof anoutlet-"leg riveted 30 Rising from, and rigidly secured to, the leg 13 within the confines of the opening 12, is a series of screw bolts 23, forming studs, four of these studs arranged in a rectangular formation comprising the series in the particular construction shown, though the number and arrangement thereof may be varied as desired, these studs screwing into upwardly-opening threaded sockets in the leg 13l and represented at 24. The studs 23 serve as a support for a nut 25 shown as of spider form, this nut containing openings 26 at its marginal edge portion to receive the upper ends of the studs 23 provided with nuts 27 between which and shoulders. 28 on the studs 23, the nut 25 is firmly clamped in position.

yThe spider nut 25 at its central threaded portion is vertically thickened as shown-to form a hub portion 29 substantially in vertical alignment with the valve proper 16.

Screwing in the hub portion 29 is a threaded rod 30, forming a valve stem to the upper end of which the lower end of an operating rod 31 is connected. The rod 31 which would` extend at its hand-wheel-equipped portion 32 to a point accessible for rotation by the operator in accordance with well known practice, is shown asjournalled in a bracket 33 secured to a side wall 34 of the tank, the lower end of this rod being shown as formed with a downwardly-opening socket portion 35 into which the upper end of the threaded stem 30 extends and to which it is secured as for eX- ample by a Cotter-pin 36 extending through the socket portion 35 and the upper end of the stem 30.

The lower end portion of the valve stemv 30 extends intorthe groove 19 in the valve proper 16, and is shown as comprising a head 37iwith its undersurface of general spherical form as represented at 38, this head being of greater width than the width of the restricted portion 21 of the groove 19. The valve stem 30 is formed with a neck portion 39 between the head 37 and the body portion,

of the stem 30, this neck portion, which extends into the restricted portion 21 of the groove 19, being of greater length than the height of this restricted portion, as shown. The neck portion 39 comprises the flat sided i elongated portion 40 adjacent the head 37 and the cylindrical portion 41 ofa diameter slightly less than the width of the restricted portion 21 of the groove 19, and of a length s slightly greater than the thickness of the walls of the portion 21.

Assuming that the valve is in open condition in which condition the valve proper 16 dependingly hangs from the valve stem 30 by 1 the engagement of the walls forming the restriction 21 of the groove 19, with the upper surface of the head 37 of the stem; the operator, to close the valve, rotates the stem 30 in clockwise direction in Fig. 3, the valve proper 16 lowering with the stem until the valve proper engages at its portion 17 with the valve seat 15. In this lowering operation as stated the elongated portion 40 of the neck of the valve stem extends into the restricted portion 21 of the groove 19 thereby forming an interlock between the valve proper 16 and the stem so that the valve proper 16 is rot-ating as it engages the seat 1 5, and it continues to rotate against this seat until the portion 40 of the stem, in the continued rotation of the latter, Amoves downwardly out of the restricted portion 21 of the groove which occurs in the particular construction shown immediately preceding the forcing of the valve proper 16 against the seat 15vf-or forming the desired tight closure which is effected, in the parti-cular arrangement shown, by the forcing of the head 37 downwardly against the bottom wall of the groove 19, in the continued rotation of the valve stem 30, it being noted that by the time the valve stem 30 has moved downwardly to a. position in which it starts to force the valve proper 16 against the seat 15,'the cylindrical portion 41 of the valve stem 30 is the only portion of the latter whichextends into the restricted portion 21 of thev groove, which permits the stem to rotate without rotating the valvefproper 16. n

In the opening of the valve, by rotation of the stem in counterclockwise direction in F ig. 3, the stem 30 rotates independently of the valve proper 16 to a point where downward pressure by` the stem on the valve, is released. By this time thel elongated portion l0 of the stem will enter the restricted portion 21 of the groove forming an interlock therewith for rotating the valve proper 16 on the seat'15, under the weight of the valve. proper 16, until the-stem 30 has been rotated sufiiciently far to lift the valve proper 16 from the seat 15 by engagement of the head 37 with the side walls of the restrictedportion 21 of the groove, whereupon the valve proper 16 will move bodily upward with the stem I30. y

It will beunderstood-fromthe foregoing that a valve structure constructed in accordancev with my invention provides for the automatic grinding in of the valve proper and the seat cooperating therewith under relatively light pressure uniformly applied, as distinguished fromwthe non-uniform pressure which is produced'where the valve is caused to rotate against its seat during the final seating of the valve.

Furthermore, by reason of the provision of the drive` connection between the stem andl the valve proper Aas shown and described the final seating of the valve is not consecutively in the same position which is of great ad-Y vantage as thereby wear of the valve and seat at one point of contactis avoided and instead the wear of the valve and seat is caused to be substantially uniform and consequentlv s said seat.

there is a uniform distribution of wear which makes for the production of better joints.

Another advantage of my improved construction consists in the ease lwith which the valve proper may be ground in if desired, as for example by a prolonged rotation of the valve proper on its seat. By slightly backing oli the stein to relieve the pressure of the latter against the valve proper 1G tending to force it to the seat the valve proper may be freely rotated on the seat-l5 by hand or by any desired mechanical `contrivance. The further backing off of the stem 30 to a position in which the elongated portion Ll-G of ther stein extendsinto the restricted portion 2l of the groove, permits the valve proper 16 to be rotated on its seat merely by rotating the stem 30l as through the means of the rod 3l or a wrench, or other means for rotating the valve through the medium of the stein, appliedy to the latter after disconnecting the rod 31 therefrom; A

It will also be noted that'a valve structure constructed as shown and involving the studs 23 disposed in the arrangementas shown for supporting the nut 25 permits of the grinding in of the valve seat, even when a grinding compound is to be'supplied to these parts, without requiring the disassembling of the parts of the valve.

kWhile I have illustrated and described a particular construction embodying my invention, I do not wish t-o be understood as intending` to limit it thereto as the saine may be variously modified and alteredwithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

"What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In valve mechanism, the combination with a valve-seat-equipped member, a valve proper fory cooperation with said seat, a stem having a head at its inner end for engagementv with said valve proper, said head engagingthe center of said valve proper, means operating, when said stem is rotated, to move said stem lengthwise, and means for actuating said valve proper by said stem constructed and arranged to rotate said valve proper against said seat during a portion only of the movement ofsaid stern in a direction toward saidy seat and thereafter discontinue said rotation and force said valve proper to 2. In valve mechanism, the combination with a valve-seat-equipped member, a valve proper for cooperation with said seat, a stem, and lmeans operating, when said stein is rotated, to move rthe latter lengthwise, said valve proper having aiportion containing a non-circular opening therethrough and said stem having a portion which is adapted to be laterally inserted into said opening and to reside therein, said stein being so formed as to force said valve proper against Vsaid seat in the rotation of said stem in one direction and said portionof said steinbfeing ofgreater length than the thickness of ,said apertured portion of said valveproper andsoformed that in the relative lengthwise movement of said 'valve proper and said stem to seat said valve proper, but 'only throughout a portion of such movement, saidstein interlocks with saidV valve proper to rotate saidrvalve proper on said seatv and lduring the remainder of such movement said stem is free to rotate independeiitly' of saidV valve proper. i

Invval'veinechanism, the combination with a valve-seat-equipped member, a valve proper for cooperation with `said seat, a stem, and means operating, when saidhstem is rotated, to move thelatter lengthwise, said valve pro-per having a portion containing "a non-#circular opening therethrough and saidy stem having a neckportion terminating in a head,l said neck portion 'extending into said opening, and said head being adapted to exert pressure on said valve proper for forcing the latter to said "seat, `the portion'fofsaid neck adjacent said head rbeing adapted to; interloclr with the apertured portion of said valve proper and the 'other portion ofsaid neck beingy of a length 'greaterthan the thickness of th'ewall ofsaidv 'apertured portionfof said valve proper and so formed as to permitsaid stem to rotate in saidivalve proper.

with afvalve-seat-equipped member, a valve 4: In valve-mechanism, the combination properfor cooperation with said seat, and

arranged y above, andv seating downwardly against, said'seatjand pressing' against the latter except ,when yforced upwardly from said seat, a stem, and means operating, when Y said stem is rotated, to move the latter length-` wise, ,said valve proper havinga portion containing fa non-circular opening therethrough and said stem having aiportion which *eX-*p tends laterally into said opening, said stem being'soformed as ltoforce said valve proper against lsaid seat in therrotat-ion of said steni in 'o1i'e'direct1`on4 and saidportion of'said ste-m iio being of greater length than thefthiokness-of thek portion' of said valve proper containing saidy opening and soformed lth'atin the relative lengthwise movement of saidvalve properan'd said stem to seat saidvalve proper, but

only throughout a portion of such movement,

said stemv Ainterlocks with vsaid valve proper to rotate said valve proper on'sai'd seat and duringV tlieremainder of such "movement said stem isfreeto rotate independently of said valve proper.' Y

5; In valve mechanism, lthe ycombi'nation with a valve-seat-equipped member, a valve properV for cooperation with said seat, a stem having a head atits inner end for engagement with said valve proper, the surface of, said head fat which -it engages said valve properbeing of spherical formftoprovid'e a center contact, means operating, when said 'stemis rotated, to'move said stem lengthwise,

and means for actuating said valve proper by said stem constructedV and arranged to rotate said valve proper against said seat. during a portion only of the movement of said stem in a direction toward said seat and thereafter discontinue said rotation Vand force said valve proper to said seat. Y

6. In valve mechanism, the combination with a valve-seat-equipped member, a valve 10 proper for cooperation With said seat, a stem,

and means operating, When said stem is rotated, to move the latter lengthwise,` said valve proper having a portion containing a non-circular opening therethrough and said 7;' 5 stem having a portion which extendsV into said opening, said stem having a head Which engages said valve proper and forces the latter against said seat in the rotation of said stem in one direction and said portion of said stem g@ being of greater length thanV the thicknessv of said apertured portion of said valve proper'and so formed that in the relative length- Wise movement of said valve proper and said stem to seat said valve proper, but only 25Y throughout a portion of such movement, said stem interlocks with saidvalve proper to rotate saidvvalve proper on said seat and during the remainder of such movementsaid stem f is free to rotate independently of said valve 30. proper, said head beingbelovv that portion thereof containing said opening, and operating to lift said valve proper in the raising of said stem. n Y

7. In valve mechanism, the combination .35 with a valve-seat-equipped member, a onepiece valve proper for cooperation With said seat, a stem, and means operating, When said stem is rotated, to move the latter lengthwise, n said valve proper'having a transversely dis- '40 posed slot extending crossWise thereof and opening at one end through a side of said valve proper, the upper portion of said slot being constricted and said stem having a portion Which extends into' said slot, said stem .45 being so formed as to force said valve proper against saidseat in the rotation of said stem in onedirect-ionY and said portion o said stembeing of greater length than the thickness of said slotted portion of said valve 5e proper and so formed that in the relative lengthwise movement ofl said valveY proper and said stem to seatsaid valve proper, but only throughout a portion of such movement, said stem interloclrs with said valve proper 55 atsaid constricted portion of said slot to rotate said valve proper on said seat, and during the remainder of suoli movementsaid stem becomes disengaged from interlocking relationship With said slot and becomes free C? to rotate independently or" said valve proper, said stem having a head extending into the portion of said slot of greater width and beiig Wider than the restricted portion of said s ot.

Cf; l. OSTRANDER J. PARKS, y 

